Edmonton Eskimos defensive lineman Kai Ellis is one of only two active CFLers to have played in Ottawa.

Head coach Richie Hall remembers it as his second-favourite CFL city to visit.

Both looked favourably on the news that Ottawa will return to the CFL in 2013.

On Monday, Ottawa city council approved construction of a 24,000-seat stadium that will house a team known as anything-but-the-Rough-Riders.

Ellis was with the team when it was mismanaged into the ground in 2005 by the now-infamous Glieberguys, the father/son Glieberman hands-on ownership tag team.

“It’s a nice city,” said Ellis, the only active Renegades alumni besides B.C.’s Korey Banks. “Obviously, having Ottawa back would open up a lot of jobs. There were a lot of people sitting out after (the team folded).

“As far as me going back to Ottawa ... I like Edmonton, I like the way they treat the players.

“Another team would add a bit more excitement. It will be good for a lot of CFL fans. There were a lot of fans supporting the Renegades, even though we weren’t that good, so I think it’s good for that city.”

Hall’s favourite CFL road city is Calgary, whose mountain background reminds him of Denver, so the news that Ottawa will be back sat well with him.

“Good, good,” said Hall. “I know it was nice for Ottawa to come back into the league a few years back. Now that it’s back in place, hopefully now that we have nine, we can look at 10.”

The Esks are playing an exhibition game in Moncton against the Argos this season. Halifax has been named as a possible expansion city, as well as Quebec City.

“When you look at the league now, it’s solid,” said Hall. “To have another team come in, that’s a positive.”